Well, finally, a break in the weather in the Bundaberg area! During the past week a few boats headed offshore, but unfortunately the big tides made it harder to fish the deep water. Some of the areas in closer, such as the 15-Mile Gutter, the 16-Mile the Kolan Patch and the Barjon fished really well. Venus tuckfish, cod, red emperor, big grass sweetlip and big coral trout were all taken. The coral trout have been caught on live baits with Yakkas being the favoured livie. The Cochrane artificial Reef has been producing some great snapper and big grunter. The best results have been by fishing the edges of the reef on the rubble patches and using large flesh baits fished slowly to the bottom.

Approximately one mile out from Burnett Heads, there has been some good numbers of winter whiting. Drifting seems to be the best way to find and catch the winteries. Yabbies and small strips of squid have been the best baits. The Burnett River is still fishing really well for summer whiting, bream and flathead. If you are using live baits there is still a run of salmon and even a few tailor about. The barra in Lake Monduran have gone off the chew again, due to the colder weather. However, the bass at Lake Gregory are having a go with some red hot early morning bites of poppers and then Spinnerbaiting the weed edges during the day.
Till next time,
Tim Mulhall
Tackle World Bundaberg Fishing Team